Medinsky discusses outcomes from the Istanbul negotiations
In the bustling city of Istanbul, the second round of negotiations between Russia and Ukraine came to a close today, lasting approximately an hour as per Russian news agency RIA Novosti. The discussions were led by Vladimir Medinsky, the head of the Russian delegation, who shared some key points from the talks.
Here's a quick rundown of the main takeaways:
- Memorandum Exchange: Russia handed over a draft memorandum to Ukraine for further consideration, detailing proposed steps toward a lasting peace and comprehensive ceasefire in Ukraine. This document is divided into two parts; the first part aims for peace, while the second part outlines paths for a ceasefire.
- Prisoner Swap: Russia agreed to unilaterally transfer the remains of approximately 6,000 Ukrainian soldiers to their home country, having already identified the identities of these deceased soldiers. Additionally, both sides agreed on a large-scale prisoner exchange, with the potential for over a thousand individuals to be involved, though the number could be higher. Sick and heavily wounded individuals will be swapped on a one-to-one basis, with Moscow and Kyiv forming a commission to facilitate exchanges of critically injured fighters without political intervention. Fighters under the age of 25 will also be part of the exchange.
- Temporary Ceasefire: Russia proposed a short-term ceasefire on specific fronts for two to three days, with the goal of allowing commanders to retrieve the bodies of fallen soldiers. The Ukrainian military is set to consider this proposal.
- Reuniting Families: Russia is currently working on bringing together families separated by the conflict in Ukraine.
- Language Barrier: The negotiations took place in Russian.
It's worth mentioning that negotiations are a crucial part of the ongoing efforts to resolve the crisis in Ukraine. The United States is actively contributing to these efforts, with Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan expressing optimism about the potential for substantial results. Despite not making substantial progress on a broader peace agreement, both sides and international mediators are emphasizing the importance of ongoing diplomacy to put an end to the conflict.
The ongoing war-and-conflicts in Ukraine remain a matter of intense politics and general-news, as evidenced by the recent negotiations between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul. In these discussions, Russia proposed a short-term ceasefire on specific fronts for retrieving fallen soldiers' remains, a step that awaits Ukraine's consideration. Moreover, the Russian delegation presented a draft memorandum to Ukraine, detailing proposed steps toward peace and a comprehensive ceasefire, which Ukraine is to review further.
